Pubdate: June 17, 1797
Source: Letter from the Secretary of War, Transmitting Sundry
Statements Relative to the Frigates United States, Constitution
and Constellation. Published by order of the House of Representatives.
Philadelphia: Printed by Zachariah Poulson, Junior, Number Eighty,
Chesnut-Street. 1797

War Office, June 16th. 1797.

Sir,

I HAVE the honor to communicate herewith, the several statements
and estimates annexed, viz. The present state of the Frigates
United States, Constitution and Constellation; An estimate of
the money which will be required to complete the said Frigates;
An estimate shewing the further sum which will be wanted for the
pay and provisioning their officers and crews for twelve months;
An estimate of the probable value of the articles on hand, and
a table exhibiting the articles and where deposited.

It may be proper to observe on the second estimate, that although
it is not possible to attain to certainty in such calculations,
especially where the vessels are built at so great a distance
from each other, without incurring considerable delay, it is nevertheless
expected, from the care that has been taken in forming it, that
it will be found to approach pretty near the real amount which
it may be necessary to expend for their completion. It may also
be noticed, that the estimate of pay and subsistence, which is
founded on the act of the 27th. of May, 1794, may require to be
varied from in some particulars.

SIR,
I have the honor to be,
With great respect,
Your obedient servant,
James McHenry.

Honorable Josiah Parker.

NAVAL STATEMENTS.
1797.

State of the Frigates United States and Constitution of 44
guns, and Constellation of 36 guns.

UNITED STATES.

The hull of this ship was launched on the tenth of May last.
The bottom is completely coppered; and the carpenter's work is
nearly finished, and she will be soon in a situation to receive
her masts and stores.

Several of the masts, yards and caps are finished, and the
remainder are under way. The boats are in hand: all the rigging,
blocks, dead-eyes, and one suit of sails are prepared, all the
principal, and most of the small stores are provided, and the
captain reports, that the ship may be rigged and completed for
sea in one month after the guns and lower masts are on board.

CONSTITUTION.

The bottom of this ship is squared off, and the Caukers are
at work. The various decks are laying: the breasthooks, diagonal
riders and counter timbers are all in and secured, and the mast
makers are employed on the masts and yards. All the boats excepting
the pinnace are built.

The riggers are at work on the rigging which will be soon ready:
The water casks are in hand: Sails are preparing, and the constructor
reports the ship may be launched about the twentieth of August
next - the captain is of opinion she may be completely equipped
in one month after.

CONSTELLATION.

The latest report states, that this ship is in great forwardness.
The bottom is caulked and finished: The lower deck is laid, and
the other decks are in a forward state: The head, quarter-galleries
and stern are partly done, and the bowsprit is almost ready to
be put on board. The materials for the equipment and rigging are
all procured, one suit of sails are made, and all the guns for
the gun-deck are in the Navy-yard and mounted on their carriages.
The constructor states, that this ship will be launched next month,
and, from the forward state of the masts, yards and rigging, together
with the other equipments, there is reason to conclude she can
be completely fitted for sea in one month after she is launched.

Estimate

Estimate of the further sums necessary to complete the Frigates
United States and Constitution of 44 guns, and Constellation of
36 guns.

UNITED STATES, at Philadelphia.

Cost of guns and military stores,

38,820

Labor and tradesmen's bills,

26,000

64,820

CONSTITUTION, at Boston

Cost of guns and military stores,

32,175

Labor and tradesman's bills,

45,045

Fifty tons of hemp
purchased to replace a like quantity destroyed by fire, (together
with labor,)